The Barbie phone is a “digital detox device” that celebrates the doll’s 65th birthday
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💅 The Barbie phone is pretty in pink and comes out this October
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💰 It is expected to cost around $129 and work with all three major US wireless carriers
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😍 The flip phone comes with various accessories such as interchangeable covers
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🧘♀️ It is best described as a “dumb phone” and digital detox device
Hot on the heels of the hit Barbie movie, HMD and Mattel have teamed up to release a Barbie phone. Available in October for around $129, it allows users to make calls and send text messages, but that’s about it.
Still, the flip phone’s retro design and unique features like light-up phone buttons with hearts, flamingos and palm trees will appeal to fans of the classic toy.
The launch of the Barbie phone coincides with the doll’s 65th birthday and comes shortly after the Barbie movie starring Margot Robbie grossed $1.4 billion at the box office.
It’s worth reiterating that the Barbie flip phone is best described as a “dumb phone.” You can’t access social media apps and there’s no artificial intelligence inside. Instead, you get a stripped-down device that offers the bare essentials: phone calls, texting, and the ability to take photos with its 5-megapixel camera. You can also play a Barbie version of the classic Snake game.
HMD, which owns Nokia, cleverly promotes the Barbie phone as a digital detox device that lets you “take a vacation from your smartphone.” And honestly, that’s sure to appeal to some.
The phone comes with several accessories, including replaceable battery covers, stickers, charms and stick-on gems, and it works with all three major US cellular networks. Pre-orders open September 23, and the phone will ship October 1.
For those who have fully entered the smartphone world and want the very best camera, performance, AI features and more, Apple’s iPhone 16 launch event will take place on September 9where we will see everything the Cupertino-based company has in store.
Check out our Google Pixel 9 Pro XL in review if you are looking for the best Android smartphone.
Adam Vjestica is senior editor at The Shortcut. He was previously gaming hardware editor at TechRadar and also worked as content marketing editor at Nintendo of Europe, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.
